On a rainy Saturday evening, at first glance, Newcastle’s King Street could seem devoid of nightlife.
But closer inspection reveals a slow yet steady trickle of people entering an unassuming bar labelled ‘Bernie’s’, where the partygoers’ cheerful moods and colourful outfits are a vibrant, stark contrast to the quieter atmosphere on the street outside.
Inside Newcastle’s only queer venue, young and old dance together and almost every surface is covered in bright neon signs and pride flags.
Regular Chris Schofield moves through the party effortlessly, chatting with the queer community he has been seeking in more than 20 years living in Newcastle, but Bernie’s is his new celebratory haven.
“Bernie’s is one of the first spaces that opened with a free LGBT inclusive space in Newcastle and it’s been a bit of a saviour. Sydney has so many options for LGBTQIA+ people and queer spaces, whereas Newcastle only has one, so we treasure it,” says Schofield.
“Initially, for me, Newcastle was a safe space because I had the anonymity of coming from a small community in Gunnedah, to a bigger community. And then I didn’t, because there weren’t queer spaces in Newcastle.”
Chris Schofield (right) reveals his outfit was actually his husband’s, who felt that the flamboyant clothing would suit Chris’ personality better. Photo: Ava Camillos.
The venue’s co-founder, Patrick Fisher, said Bernie’s filled a much-needed gap for the region’s LGBTQIA+ community.
“There has not been a dedicated queer venue in Newcastle since the Gateway, or the G, closed in 2019. Any queer person who has come of age in the last five years has not had a space in this city,” he said.
NO MORE ‘PUB WITH NO QUEERS’
Located in what used to be the Star Hotel, Bernie’s is continuing the space’s significance to the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Star Hotel primarily traded as a queer pub towards the latter end of its existence, before the ‘Pub with No Queers’ campaign eventually led to its closure by authorities and ultimately the infamous Star Hotel Riot in 1979, when police battled more than 4000 rioters angered by the closure.
“They were bars for people who were on the wrong side of the cultural majority. It became a place over the last 50 years of its history where there was a spirit of transgressiveness, and we are very proud to be reigniting that in the 21st century,” Fisher passionately explained.
Newcastle is a regional NSW town with a population of around 350,000 as per the 2021 Census. While 0.5 per cent of Newcastle’s LGA are living in same-sex de-facto relationships, a Newcastle government datasheet estimated that up to 11 per cent of Australians have a diverse sexual orientation or gender identity.
Additionally, the Australian Human Rights Commission found that 60 per cent of LGBTQIA+ people have experienced verbal homophobic abuse, and 20 per cent experienced physical abuse based on their sexuality or gender identity.
SAFE SPACES: MAKE NEWCASTLE GAY AGAIN
First and foremost, Bernie’s is a community-centred space that works to actively maintain a queer, safe environment for all individuals identifying as LGBTQIA+.
“The heteronormative invasion of queer spaces is a pretty well-known phenomenon. We turn away groups that are deep in heteronormativity, like hens nights and bucks parties. It’s always been our policy that this is not a zoo. People will be refused entry if we suspect that they’re making anyone feel uncomfortable. It’s an active effort,” Fisher said.
In addition, Bernie’s successfully services the intersection of queerness with other identities and interests that are left unfulfilled due to Newcastle’s current lack of commercial LGBTQIA+ venues.
Bernie’s co-founder, Patrick Fisher, uses his hospitality background to serve free sausages to partygoers. Photo: Ava Camillos.
“Our community advisory group helps us check our own assumptions against a more diverse set of the community. If we need some advice on how to reach an audience with an event, we take it to them,” said Fisher.
Bernie’s advisory group also provides a significant advantage for not only the venue’s future, but the future of Newcastle’s queer community. Providing a platform for community voices has allowed LGBTQIA+ people in Newcastle, like soon-to-be queer bar owner, Jessica Cooper, an opportunity to act.
“It’s given us a space to talk really freely and really confidently about what this city needs, and what this city loves… What this city is missing and what this city has time, space, and a desire for. And that’s platforms, that’s safe spaces. That’s community, that’s opportunity.”
This has inspired Jessica’s own contribution to the expansion of queer public spaces in the city of Newcastle.
“My queer venue will be called ‘The Graveyard’, and it’s just another step on what this community now finally has here. It’s another opportunity for us to keep pushing forward. I want to take that to the metal level. I want to take it to the accessibility level. I want to take it to the neurodivergent level, to the alternative level.”
The impact of Bernie’s and the work done by its co-founders to connect Newcastle’s queer community is also evident on a personal level, as Chris reflects on his relationship with his queer identity.
“Bernie’s has changed my relationship with my city. Now I’m more likely to be unashamedly myself in other areas that may not advertise for queer people. It’s really important to have a queer space that bleeds into other areas of the community.”
A Bernie’s patron with a pride flag on his cheek takes a selfie in front of a ‘Love is Love’ neon sign. Photo: Ava Camillos.
Fisher, alongside other co-founders, Kitt Nissen and Grace Tose, are also aiming to improve Newcastle’s broader perception on the LGBTQIA+ community, collaborating with the Newcastle City Council and the NSW government on initiatives that showcase Newcastle’s vibrant, queer community.
“I think we’ve got enormous potential as our city grows to bring more rainbow-facing businesses to the streets, and I can’t wait to partner with them when they do pop up.”
When asked about his hopes for the future of the queer community in Newcastle, Chris Schofield highlights the ongoing ostracisation experienced by LGBTQIA+ people, emphasising that despite progress in recent decades, there is still work needed to dismantle society’s ingrained heteronormativity.
“My hope for the future is I would love to walk down the street, holding hands with my husband, without a single person looking at me or commenting. That’s it. We want the exact same thing straight couples want. We want to spend our lives together with the person we love.”
Bernie’s provides queer youth, or those exploring their identity, with a little slice of Newcastle, free from prejudice and judgement, creating a safe space to connect with their innermost selves.
Two people with pride flags draped over their backs order drinks at Bernie’s bar, the only queer venue in Newcastle. Photo: Ava Camillos.
“Hosting a venue like this gives queer people a chance to live a bit easier. You see the leaps and bounds people have made in being able to express themselves authentically over months of visiting Bernie’s,” says Fisher enthusiastically.
This sentiment is supported by many, with Jessica summarising the positive impact Bernie’s and its co-founders have had, and will continue to have, on Newcastle’s LGBTQIA+ population.
“Bernie’s has done such a phenomenal thing within our queer community, and our community, period, to really stand in the middle of our city and go ‘Yes, we’re here. Yes, we’re queer. Fucking deal with it.’”
Main photo by Ava Camillos.
*The Constructive Journalism in Communities (CJIC) project has been made possible by the philanthropic support of AGL for regional communities. UTS has maintained full editorial control and independent journalistic standards.
